by Wilson Harp
Kyle pulled up the e-mail system and logged in as the former Earth Chancellor. In the folder was a single message with several images attached. Kyle downloaded the images, deleted the message and then logged out of the account.
He pulled up the image. It was a draft resolution for the General Assembly to void the treaty with the Pelod.
Kyle swore under his breath and re-read it. The treaty with the Pelod had been hard fought. He remembered the hours of fine details, the endless recitations of numbers and amounts of minerals the Pelod had demanded. They had acted in good faith. They received ample rewards for supplying Earth what it needed in the war with the Iltia’cor, and they had done so on future promises. Promises Wu seemed determined to break.
Wu and his supporters claimed the Pelod maneuvered Earth into that conflict, and they had acted as war profiteers. Kyle snorted in disgust when he read the line which referred to the Pelod’s ‘need to exaggerate the danger the Iltia’cor posed’ in order to convince Earth they needed ships with interstellar capable engines.
The war had simply been too easy. Earth developed a strategy which caught the Iltia’cor off guard, they fought with a tenacity which shocked and horrified most of the galaxy, and they went for the throat instead of behaving as a civilized race should.
Those facts led many on Earth to claim Earth was the belligerent and escalated the conflict unnecessarily.
Wu’s position was because the Pelod ‘goaded Earth in their colonial adventurism’, the treaty should be null and void.
Kyle paced around the room a few times before he could make himself sit down and open the next image.
The second image was a resolution to void the treaty which established Iltia as a protectorate of Earth. That requirement was forced onto Earth at the end of the war by the Galactic Higher Council. Due to political manipulations by the Iltia’cor, Earth was never given the opportunity to sign the Treaty of the Stars. Because of that, Earth had decimated the Iltia’cor military to the point they would not be able to defend themselves from any other race. Considering how many other races desired revenge for the past aggressions of the Iltia’cor, this was a serious concern. Earth was required to provide the defenses for the Iltia system for one hundred years. And this resolution would break that agreement; it would throw away any trust for Earth in the galactic fraternity which made up the other races of the council.
Kyle relaxed his jaw. It had been clenched since he opened the first image and had started to hurt as he thought more about the situation.
He was Earth’s ambassador to the Galactic Lower Council. He had no say on what the direction of Earth should be, and yet he was expected to find ways to represent Earth as a responsible member of the galaxy.
What Chancellor Thomas and he had presented to the United Nations were the agreements needed to bring Earth into the galactic community. The only race with access to interstellar transportation which was not a signatory to the Treaty of the Stars was the Otina.
Unknown to most races, and indeed unknown to almost every other human, was the Otina were represented by A’nacal himself. Kyle wondered what the races on the Lower Council would do if they discovered A’nacal was a true Otina. They would probably break the Treaty themselves in anger at the deception.
Kyle picked up his phone and pulled up a number he had never used. The phone rang twice before it was answered. A thick Russian accent greeted him.
“This is Ambassador Martin. May I speak with Ambassador Valaskov?”
The voice on the other side was silent for a minute. “Of course, Mister Ambassador. Ambassador Valaskov is in his office at the U.N. Would you prefer to call him on the secure line?”
“No, just patch me through to him.”
A few seconds of clicks and another voice came on the line.
“Hello?”
“Hello, Dmitri? This is Ambassador Martin.”
“Uh… yes, Ambassador. Do you understand this is not a secure line?”
“Since Wu has my phone tapped anyway, I don’t really care if your people listen in.”
Valaskov laughed. “Very well, Ambassador Martin. How may I help you today?”
“Do you know about resolution 102/87?” Kyle asked.
There was a pause. “No, I do not see it scheduled.”
“I didn’t ask if you saw it scheduled, I asked if you were aware of its existence.”
“No, I have never heard of it, nor do I know what it is about.”
“They’re going to bypass the Security Council then.”
“Who is?”
“Chancellor Wu and his allies. This resolution will be presented by one of the members of the Security Council in open session without consent.”
“That’s uncommon, but isn’t unheard of, Ambassador.”
“It is when it concerns a U.N. ratified treaty.”
“I don’t—Wait. You mean the Treaty of the Stars?”
“Among others.”
“He can’t—I mean, it’s… Ambassador, maybe we shouldn’t speak about this here.”
“I have a copy in front of me, Dmitri. They mean to break the treaty with a vote of the whole assembly.”
Valaskov went silent.
Kyle heard the Russian’s breath on the other end of the phone. He could tell Valaskov was deep in thought.
“Where did you receive this information?”
“From the highest level.” Kyle said.
“You believe it is authentic?”
“Why would I call you if I didn’t?”
“Very well. That is the game he wants to play. Will you send me a copy of the documents?”
“No. But I will have my source get you a copy.”
“Good,” Valaskov said. “Many in our foreign service believed you to be the wrong choice to represent Earth. They said you were too expressive, too American, to keep your true intentions from showing through. But I have done my homework, Ambassador. You have so many layers, and so many twists and turns in your machinations that you could be Russian.”
“I’m not sure if that’s a compliment or not,” Kyle said.
Valaskov laughed. “Yes, I’m sure you don’t. Thank you for this information, Ambassador. I look forward to your input on who the next Earth Chancellor should be. Your recommendation should be enlightening.”
He hung up before Kyle could put together what he meant by that last statement. When Thomas suggested Valaskov replace him as the new Earth Chancellor, the United States had opted to support Wu in order to keep good relations with China, who had become a strategic partner during the Indian war. Others on the Security Council were swayed by the United States and China jointly supporting Wu. Russia’s candidate never gained much traction, and in the end they withdrew their nomination. Thomas had told Kyle that Russia and her allies would likely abstain from the voting in protest over Wu, but in the end it was a unanimous election which put Wu into power. Russia had suddenly changed its mind about Wu, and Kyle had heard it was due to some promises of lucrative contracts with the Pelod which Wu had promised Moscow.
But Russia had become disenchanted with Wu in the first year of his leadership. They complained openly about his policies and the manner in which he did things. And yet Valaskov voted in support of the Chancellor almost constantly.
Politics disturbed Kyle. He didn’t see the levels of intrigue the diplomats did with every action. He didn’t believe half of what he heard, and the other half was too horrible to be real. But he knew it was.
No, Kyle had very little patience with politics. He liked to pretend it was because he didn’t understand it. But it was because he understood it all too well.
Valaskov was not upset about the resolution repudiating the Treaty of the Stars. He might posture and pontificate about honesty and honor, but the Treaty of the Stars didn’t affect Russia very much. The other treaty, though, that was a problem. If the treaty with the Pelod was cancelled, Russia would lose billions of dollars every year from the contracts.
W
u had granted those contracts as payments to Russia for his election, and now he was going to wipe out their profits in a single move.
Even if Russia could negotiate as an individual nation with the alien race, it was unlikely the Pelod would trust any treaty would be kept after Wu’s actions.
The front door opened and Kyle heard his daughter and her boyfriend come in.
“Dad, are you here?” Sara called.
Kyle stepped out of his study into the living room.
“Yeah, still here this morning.”
“Why aren’t you at the gym?” she asked.
Geoff gave a quick shake of his head and shrugged behind her back. Kyle figured she bullied Geoff about the gym and his diet as much as she bullied her own father.
“I had some business come up this morning,” Kyle said.
“Doesn’t look like you are busy now. Go get your gear and get some sweating done.”
“In a bit. I’m expecting another call.”
“Sara, your dad’s an important man. He has responsibilities,” said Geoff.
“Well he has a new one,” Sara said with a smile. “Look, Dad!”
Sara held her hand out to Kyle. There was a ring on her finger. A ring. With a diamond.
Kyle looked up at Geoff with a mix of vengeance and bliss.
“When did this happen?”
“Last night at dinner,” Sara said. “Isn’t it wonderful?”
“Yes. Can I have a word with you, Geoff?”
Sara slipped away to the kitchen as she shot Kyle a withering look. He knew she expected him to be nice to her new fiancé.
“Yes, sir. Kyle. Mister Martin. Sir. I’m sure you have questions.”
Kyle looked the young man in his eye. He waited until he saw Geoff shift his feet before he spoke.
“When I asked Sara’s mom to marry me, I had already asked her father for permission.”
Geoff’s mouth dropped open.
“No,” Kyle said. “Not yet.”
Geoff closed his mouth.
Kyle continued. “I made sure he was a partner of mine as I went to ask her. With his blessing, I was sure she would say yes.”
Geoff started to speak. Kyle cocked his head until Geoff closed his mouth again.
“Now how do you think it makes me feel to be left out of an important moment like that for Sara? Were you so certain of her answer that you didn’t need my blessing and support?”
Geoff didn’t move.
“Now would be the time to speak,” Kyle said.
“I… I didn’t consider it, sir.”
“You didn’t consider what I would say, or you didn’t consider what would happen if Sara had asked if you had gotten my blessing first?”
“I’m not sure. I didn’t really think about it.”
“Well, I am disappointed.”
“What are you disappointed in?” Sara asked as she came back from the kitchen.
“I didn’t ask your dad for his blessing before I proposed,” Geoff said.
“So?”
“Well… he asked for your grandfather’s blessing before he asked your mom to marry him.”
Sara shook her head. “Grandpa Severs died when Mom was little.”
Geoff looked back at Kyle with a start.
“Dad? Did you tell him you got Grandpa Severs’ blessing?” Sara asked.
“I went to his grave and asked him for his blessing the day before I proposed.”
“No you didn’t. His ashes were in the urn in Grandma’s bedroom.”
“Oh yeah,” Kyle said.
“And Mom said Grandma met you for the first time face-to-face the week before the wedding. So you couldn’t have asked his ashes.”
“The point is, Geoff could have asked me.”
“We’re leaving, Dad. And you need to hit the gym. You need to walk me down the aisle and you need to look good in a tux,” Sara said as she dragged her pale-faced fiancé out of the house.
The phone rang and pulled Kyle away from his embarrassment.
“Martin. Go,” he answered.
“Good morning, Ambassador Martin,” Jim Thomas said. “How are you today?”
“A little shaken up,” Kyle said.
“Oh? Why is that? Is everything alright?”
“Actually,” Kyle paused. The former Earth Chancellor had not called him for social purposes. Not today. “I got some bad news tempered by good news.”
“Tell me the good news.” Thomas was a life-long politician and diplomat. Kyle knew he would get to the purpose of the call soon enough, but wanted it to sound as natural as possible.
“Seems my daughter went and found her a man to marry.”
“Congratulations! I’m sure he is a fine young man. Sara’s a smart girl. She must have chosen wisely.”
Kyle found himself smiling. “I think he’ll be okay. He seems just scared enough of me to make me happy.”
“Sounds like a wise man himself. Have they set a date?”
“I don’t know. They just showed up here and told me a few minutes ago. I’m still in a bit of shock.”
“I can imagine. Well, just make sure I get an invitation, okay?”
“You’d fly out from Ohio?”
“Sure. And I’ll bring a nice gift.”
Kyle smiled. Thomas really was a friend. Sometimes among all of the serious work they had to do, he forgot that.
“I’ll make sure you are on the list, Jim.”
“Great. Now, tell me your bad news.”
“I got some information today which was worrisome. I can’t go into it as the information was leaked to me.”
“The resolution for withdrawing from the Treaty of the Stars?”
Kyle slowly counted to three. “Yes. How did you know?”
“A friend of mine contacted me a few minutes ago. He was disturbed and wanted to know if I had heard about it.”
Kyle was impressed the Russians would have enough trust in Thomas to go to him as quickly as they did.
“That’s interesting,” Kyle said. “Who’s putting this resolution forward?”
“They told me, Martin.”
“What do you mean?”
“They told me you had informed them of the resolution. That you have a contact who was able to get you the documents.”
“Did you see the resolution?”
“No, they didn’t have them. And they told me you hadn’t sent it to them.”
“And I’m not going to. But I did promise them I would have my source give it to them.”
“Have him send it to me as well.”
“You know as a private citizen, it would be a serious violation for you to have those documents.”
“I know. I don’t care. If there is a threat to the treaty I negotiated and I put my name to, then I deserve to confront it.”
Kyle smiled. Thomas was very convincing.
“Okay, Jim. I’ll make sure you get a copy as well.”
“Talk to you later, Ambassador. Get me on Sara’s guest list.”
“I will, Jim. Goodbye.”
Kyle hung up and sighed. Wu’s men would not suspect Thomas of being the source. Kyle didn’t know who the former Chancellor had in his pocket from Wu’s circle, but Kyle was glad for his influence.
Wu had made a mistake with this move. One which would cost him his seat as Chancellor if Kyle’s words had any sway. But something told him Russia would be the one who selected the next Chancellor, and this time they would want it to be one of their own.
That was something to worry about for another day. Kyle stretched and looked at the clock. It was much later than he expected. He thought about skipping the gym, but he glanced in the mirror. Sara was right. If he was going to walk her down the aisle, he needed to lose his gut.
Chapter 10
Alex turned off his tablet and looked over at Williams. Williams had a small stack of paperback books beside his bunk. Alex wondered how Williams justified the weight of those relics when he could read any book in print on a
ny tablet. But Williams liked books. He said he felt connected to the writer when he read a printed book.
“Why do you think Earth is so special, Williams? I mean, I know Jii says it has to do with the moon, but… does that make any sense to you?”
Williams put down his book and sat up on his bunk.
“It doesn’t and that’s something which bugs me. I assumed it was the sun when we discovered a reduction in mosar when we were testing some of my lab assistants. One of the women had spent a day in the sun, but it appears the moon was also visible during daylight hours on the day in question.”
The door to their room slid open and Jii stood in the doorway.
“It’s particulates from the moon,” he said as he stepped inside. “Would it be acceptable to you if I joined your conversation?”
“Please,” said Alex.
Williams scooted forward and leaned in toward Jii like an impatient child anxious to hear a long waited for story.
“What particulates?” he asked.
“Your moon is unique. Well, maybe not in the most literal sense, but it is very, very uncommon. It is the largest extra-galactic body we have discovered.”
“Extra-galactic?” asked Alex. “Like, it’s from somewhere outside our entire galaxy?”
“Yes, for some reason, it was caught up in our galactic pull, then traveled into your solar system, and was caught by your planet. A very odd occurrence in all.”
“And the solar winds pull off pieces of the moon and spread them throughout the solar system,” Williams said.
“Correct. And this particulate matter causes a retardation in the reproduction and development of mosar.”
“When did you discover this?” Alex asked.
“My exploration vessels came upon your system about 250 Earth years ago. I had long stopped entering systems which had no mosar. We knew our contact would cause mosar to infect the system. I was excited to pick up crude radio transmissions from an uninfected planet. I wanted to observe from a distance and see what could be learned. I was afraid even at a significant distance, we would still infect you. But that didn’t happen. For fifty years we tested particulate matter coming from your system, but all of the samples tested negative for mosar. When the Pelod came upon the system, we thought the contamination would occur quickly, but it never did. Even after your use of nuclear weapons and the gravitational forces they generated, mosar never took hold. Even with the Pelod on the next planet, nothing happened. I knew there was something special about either your race, your planet or your system, so I moved my resources in to monitor and examine the people of Earth.”